What I'm Packing For A Summer Road Trip

 I'm so excited because in exactly two days, we are off on the longest Summer road trip we have ever taken. It's been months in the making and now it's finally here!

For those of you who might have missed it, myself, Nate, Nettie, and a couple of our dearest friends and their family are all hitting the road and going to Utah, Wyoming, and ending in Las Vegas Nevada. Nate and I did a similar trip a couple years ago when we ventured out to Zion and the Grand Canyon, but this time will be much different. For one, we won't just be flying by the seat of our pants and camping out in the woods alone, sleeping in our jeep (yup, we did that). This time we booked four different campgrounds to stay in. Also, we'll be traveling and sleeping in an RV which is much more pleasant than a small jeep!

I can't wait to make new memories and see more of America. Experiencing it with friends is an added bonus, and something I'm sure we'll reminisce over for years to come.

Target shorts & top, Madewell bag, Steven sandals, Similar hat

Packing for a 10 (yes 10) day road trip seems daunting, and actually it has been. But since we are mostly planning on swimming, doing some light hiking, and sight-seeing along each stop on our path, I decided to keep it as simple as possible. I really don't have the room to over-pack! I'm bringing:

a handful of casual tees and tank tops
3 pairs of shorts
1 pair of jeans
2 pairs of leggings
1 jacket, 1 sweatshirt
2 bathing suits
3 casual dresses
2 kimonos that can double as bathing suit coverups
1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of sandals, 1 pair of espadrilles

I figure if I need to wash anything, I can do so by hand and hang the item to dry. I love clothes, but when it comes to camping, I have a tomboy side...or really, just a zero F's given side. You have to just go with it!

I'm taking very minimal products with me that can perform double duty. For example, the cream shadow sticks from Glo can also double as eyeliner. The bronzer and highlight palette can work as eyeshadows and blush. It's all about effortless beauty when you're on a road trip. In fact, I'm sure some days I won't wear anything besides sunscreen and a little concealer. 

I definitely plan on writing about my experience once we get home. In the meantime, I'll be back with my monthly edit next week!

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How I'm Practicing Gratitude

Today, I'm sharing a different kind of post than I'm used to writing but I wanted to discuss it with you. Gratitude has been on my mind a lot lately. I think we all struggle with it; it's so easy to get complacent, or even worse, it can be difficult to find the good when things aren't going the way we want them to.

The benefits of practicing gratitude are endless, and there have been several studies that show that people who are aware of the things they're thankful for lead happier, more fulfilling lives. They're also kinder than those who don't, and God knows the world can benefit greatly from that.

I've kept a gratitude journal in the past, but I realized a flaw I was making - I was writing down the same vague, generic things week after week so I lost interest and the whole exercise lost its intended purpose. What's really helped bring me back into journaling again is to come up with specific things that I'm grateful for each day. An example: Instead of writing that I'm grateful for my husband, I write down what it is specifically I'm grateful for in that moment. So, "I had a horrible migraine yesterday, and I'm grateful that Nate went to the pharmacy to get my medication and some ice cream for me."

Aside from writing in a journal, there are a few other things I've discovered that have worked for me in practicing gratitude.

1. Take Regular Social Media Breaks:
This has made the biggest impact on me in terms of my overall well-being. I remember taking my longest social media break about a year ago after speaking with my friends. I had become consumed with scrolling on my phone and I was having a tough time concentrating on anything. Even at night when I couldn't sleep, I'd immediately retreat to my phone and would fixate on all the perfect lives I saw on Instagram. It was keeping me in a really bizarre head space, constantly in a state of comparison, so I took a much needed break and haven't looked back. I take daily and weekly breaks regularly now, and you know what? Everything is just fine! I look at it when I want to, but I put it away after 10 minutes and focus on something else I need to get done. Look, there's nothing wrong with using social media, as long as it doesn't start using you.

2. Connect With A Friend Over Coffee:
I always feel more grateful after connecting with a friend. Once a month, one of my girlfriends and I go to a different coffee shop around town to catch up, vent, and essentially cheer each other on. Every one seems so busy that it can be easy to drift apart from the people in your life. When I share something personal I'm going through, it helps me feel less alone. I find that as I get older, I actually need my friends more, not less. In-person conversation will always be more impactful than over the phone, so schedule a designated meeting date and time if you need to.

3. Practice Mindfulness:
This is something I've learned not only in my own personal therapy sessions, but I've also implemented this exercise  with clients. Mindfulness is all about being present. Quite literally, to have the mind fully aware of what's happening in the moment. If I'm feeling particularly anxious, I like to take a few minutes to go outside, sit on a chair or even on grass, close my eyes, put my hands on my lap, and breathe deeply. I begin by concentrating on how my body feels, what sounds I'm hearing around me, what scents I'm smelling if any, sometimes I'll roll my head in a circle, and then I focus on just being still and breathing. It takes some practice to fully let your thoughts dissipate but once you keep at it, it will become a huge source of relief. Living in the moment absolutely creates a sense of gratitude for just being alive in the world. 

4. Write It Down:
Not to be confused with a gratitude journal, I think it can be equally as cathartic to write down the things that are weighing you down. I usually have a good cry when something is bothering me. If the situation is out of my control or if I just need to vent and write down every curse word known in the English language, I do it. Then I tear the page up, throw it in the trash can, and MOVE ON.


5. Do Something You Really Enjoy:
 This can be anything from practicing yoga, to taking a pottery or painting class, or curling up on the couch with a good book. For me, I love the ocean so whenever I get the chance to take a drive to the coast and sit on the beach, I do. You can do your favorite activity with a friend or spouse, or do it alone. As long as it's something (and with someone) you truly enjoy. It's amazing how much good energy you'll feel afterward. It will recharge you.


I hope these suggestions will help you in your own journey. How do you practice gratitude?

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Why I'm Loving Espadrilles

I've never really been much of a shoe girl. I know I know, I'm just waiting to get my style card revoked! Don't get me wrong, I love shoes. I admire them like little works of art. I just don't feel the need to own many pairs, and I choose comfort above everything else. Gone are the days of trying to make stilettos happen. I failed pretty miserably at walking in them in my twenties, and now that I'm almost thirty-five and am no longer so preoccupied with what others think, I choose my footwear more wisely. Ballet flats at a bar on a Saturday night? Oh yeah, I do it.

I really believe that a few pairs of classic, practical shoes can help support any wardrobe. A pair of flat sandals, a neutral wedge, some black suede pumps, and a pair of...espadrilles? I did a little digging and it turns out that espadrilles have been around since the 13th century! They look so modern, and yet they're actually a classic shoe.

Wearing //

MinkPink tea dress on sale (runs large)

North Star layered necklace

Soludos wedge espadrilles

Madewell mini transport tote

Beauty //

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer

Fenty Beauty Powder in Lavender 

L'Oreal Lip Ink in "I Create"

These canvas lace up beauties have a wedge, but I also wear my flat pair quite a bit. The fibre sole is very soft and flexible, so they are super comfortable for walking. They look so chic and feminine when worn with a dress, but they also pair well with jeans and shorts for a casual cool vibe. I know they're making the rounds on social media and are very trendy at the moment, but I find them to be an essential Spring and Summer shoe. I am partial to the brand Soludos, but many designers have a version. If you haven't already, give them a try!

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Those Summer Weekends

Is there any greater feeling than a weekend well spent? Especially when said weekend included a delicious Italian dinner, great wine, catching up with friends you haven't seen in awhile, and long walks? That's a rhetorical question.

Summer weekends are my absolute favorite. Everything seems more relaxed, even if there's a lot to be done. Lately, I start my Saturday and Sunday mornings by sitting on our front porch drinking coffee and planning out the week ahead. It's a great way to sneak in some productivity while still being a little lazy!

My casual Summer weekends reflect a wardrobe to match. Luckily it's still cool enough to wear jeans, and hey even if it wasn't cool enough, I'd still do it.

Wearing //

Old Heartloom top, similar here

LOFT petite jeans

Soludos striped flat espadrilles

Madewell mini transport tote

Gorjana amara rings

I'll always be a jeans and t-shirt girl, but even better when I can take them up a notch. I've had this lace off the shoulder top for a few years (last seen on the blog way back here) and it almost didn't make the cut when I cleaned out and organized my closet a couple weeks ago; I'm relieved I didn't donate it! Off the shoulder tops can be tricky, but I still think they are fun to wear in the Summer when you're tired of the same old tank tops and tees. As we begin to transition from Spring to Summer and the weather heats up, it's nice to have certain special pieces in your wardrobe. These striped espadrilles are another example. I could live in sandals all Summer, but sometimes I don't want to bother getting a pedicure so espadrilles are a great stand-in! In fact, I wore them so much last year that they inspired me to get these cream colored wedges you've already seen. 

I hope you ladies had a great weekend and Father's Day. Father's Day is tough for me because although I'm blessed to have my dad in good health, our relationship has always been very strained. We take one step forward, then like five steps back. I called him yesterday and we spoke briefly, but I still cried afterwards like I always do. Acceptance is something I work on every single day. That's all we can do, right? Anyway, I'm sending hugs to those of you in a similar situation. Unfortunately there are more of us than not these days...

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