summer reads

With school and work keeping me busy as ever, I've been quite pleased with myself that I've made time to also do some pleasure-reading. I've always been a huge bookworm, but the ability to guiltlessly indulge in a good book doesn't come easy when I think of all the "other things I could be doing."  This summer, though, I've been tearing through novels like no other, using suggestions from friends, Pinterest, and--my favorite--the Apple iBookstore, as my guide.

So far, I've read:

A quick rundown on each book:

(1) The Goldfinch by Donna Tart -- LOVED this book. It's a very lengthy read, but I was thoroughly impressed with her storytelling. It was raw and real. I didn't notice much repetitiveness (i.e. she has an extensive vocabulary, which I admire).

(2) Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple -- This was a very unique book and a departure from any other writing style I've read thus far. At times slow moving, the book culminated nicely and I was happy with the ending. 

(3) Gone, Girl by Gillian Flynn -- Not my most favorite book. Again, a very unique storytelling style (alternating between one character's present and another character's past. The ending leaves much to be desired, so I am interested to see how it translates in the upcoming film.

(4) The One & Only by Emily Giffin -- Least favorite book I have read all summer. I had heard great things about Emily Giffin's novels and was eager to read her newest work. I was utterly disappointed with the limited vocabulary and the character development. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this book to anyone. However, I am still open to giving her other books a try!

(5) Rules of Civility by Amor Towles -- Great, easy read. I love period pieces and especially love stories that take place in the 20s and 30s. You will like this book if you enjoyed The Great Gatsby. Other similar novels are The Paris Wife (LOVE love love) and The Beautiful and the Damned.

My fall book list currently includes: A Secret History, If I Stay, Me Before You, You Knew Me When, The Beginning of Everything, & #GIRLBOSS.

Tell me--what are you favorite books you've read lately? If you've read any of the above, what did you think? xo.

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vacation pics + getting over the vacation blues

I returned from the Dominican Republic on Friday night and I'm definitely glad I had Saturday + Sunday to get slowly acclimated back to the "real world." On Saturday, I did lots of laundry, picked up my two sweet pups from my parents (who had generously offered to watch them while we were gone), and got some groceries for the week. On Sunday, I planted myself on the sofa in front of the TV in an attempt to fight off a summer cold.

It's bittersweet coming home from a vacation. On one hand, it's nice to get back into a routine, sleep in my own bed, and have all the creature comforts of home. However, I'll undoubtedly be daydreaming at work all week about lounging on the beach beneath the shade of palm trees, the sounds of ringing phones and hallway conversations replaced by the gentle whoosh of tropical breezes.

Every time I go on vacation, it seems I begin to dread going back to the world of responsibilities and work before I even board the airplane. I'm determined to soften the blow of Monday this time by incorporating things that make me happy:

1. Starbucks - I'm planning to start my day off with a caffeinated beverage from my beloved coffee shop. Rumor has it that the Pumpkin Spice Latte is making an early return (perhaps this week!).

2. A healthy breakfast - This isn't a new addition to my routine, but it is important for setting the tone for the rest of my day. After a week of indulging on vacation, it's time to get back on track and eat right! Overnight oats might just do the trick (I use a recipe very similar to this one from Corner Kitchen!)

3. Cute outfit - Do you ever notice that on days you look your best, you feel pretty good, too? I'm going to slip into one of my favorite dresses, curl my hair, and kick off Monday with a big BANG. For cute work outfit ideas, I've been getting lots of inspo lately from 9 to 5 Chic.

4. At-home mani/pedi - Going along with #3 above, freshly painted nails always lift my spirits just a bit. I've got my vacation white (Essie's Baby Breath) still on my toes, but opted for a neutral pinky-beige for my fingers.

5. Happy playlist - Spotify is one of my favorite apps that I use daily. I recently started building a playlist with happy, perky, upbeat songs that will get me in a positive mindset for the work week. MMMBop, anyone?

What are your favorite ways to beat the Vacation/Monday Blues? xo.

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salt in the air, sand in my hair

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I'm off to spend a week in the Caribbean with the hubs, celebrating 4 wonderful years of marriage! Here's to many, many more. xo.

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taking time

image via / original image via

Summer school ended last week and I couldn't be more ready for this two week break before fall classes start up. This week, I am planning to soak in every free moment and do what makes my soul happy. This includes painting, cooking/baking, reading, and blogging. I truly think immersing in hobbies and generally doing things you enjoy is necessary for mental well-being! Balancing a full-time job and school keeps me busy and gives me the ability to sustain the lifestyle I love, but it's nice to take a break and just do whatever makes me happy.

Next week, the hubs and I are embarking on our beach vacation to the Dominican Republic. We are so very excited to lounge on the beach and completely unplug and unwind from daily demands for a few days! No TV; no Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram; minimal (if any) texting, or anything else that interrupts our ability to relax. Hopefully after these next two weeks, I'll feel rejuvenated and refreshed. It will also be nearly September, so fall will officially be almost here!

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monday must-have // the basic tee

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I recently purged my closet of all clothing I deemed ill-fitting, out of date, rarely (if ever) worn, or that I just plain didn't love anymore. It was hard at first, but now I honestly don't miss a single thing I got rid of! I kept mostly basics that I can layer and mix-and-match for any season, plus a few fun pieces to add some flair to a neutral outfit.

Lately, my favorite thing to stock up on is the basic tee. I have one in a few different colors and wear them to pieces! So I've decided as my new summer/fall transition wardrobe staple, I absolutely must have one in every color. Gap and LOFT have my favorites, but I've been eyeing Madewell's Slub V-Neck Pocket tees--they look so comfy and perfectly drapey (without being frumpy). I wear these tees with shorts, jeans, skirts... you name it! Add a pretty necklace and you've got an effortlessly cool outfit for weekend brunch or afternoon errands.

PS: These tees are all on SALE right now, it's the perfect time to grab a few!

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hasty morning hairstyles

We've all done it. The alarm goes off on Monday (or Tuesday, or Wednesday...) morning and you press the snooze button one too many times. Next thing you know you've got about 20 minutes to put yourself together and run out the door if you want to get to work on time.

This is me probably once a week. I have mastered the 5-minute makeup routine but hair is one thing that is harder for me to do. On a normal day, it usually takes me a few minutes to decide up or down, curly or straight. But when I'm running late, ain't nobody got time for deliberating on how to fix their hair!

I figured I'm probably not the only one who likes the idea of an arsenal of go-to, I'm-running-super-late hair styles and thought I'd share a few I found on Pinterest that are sure to help you get ready for work in a snap:

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one: The knotted ponytail via small things blog. She has an easy video tutorial to use as a guide! Check out all her other easy hair tutorials, too. love love love.

two: The two-minute low braided bun. I've done this style so many times. Always quick, always chic.

three: One of my favorite lazy-girl hair styles! Straighten only the bottom 2-3 inches of hair to add polish to your natural texture. Add a few waves with a curling wand on the top layer if needed.

four: Tease the roots around your crown for volume, set with a light mist of hair spray, and gather at the nape of your neck in a tight knot. Bring a few wisps of hair to the front (curl with a wand if desired) to soften the look.

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monday must-have // the plaid scarf

Hello and happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend. Here in North Texas, we experienced some uncharacteristically cooler temps for August. I'm feeling so ready for fall! Who's with me?

On Saturday, my mom and two sisters came up for the day to hang out and shop!

We kicked off the morning with breakfast/brunch at McKinley's, one of my favorite favorite restaurants here in Fort Worth. The food is always outstanding, and they recently revamped the menu so it was fun trying something new! I got the egg white scramble, which was great; one sister got the paleo plate, which also looked wonderful--she remarked it was one of the best things she's ever had; little one got a cinnamon roll at my suggestion--can't go wrong with those babies; and mom got the breakfast burrito, which also looked good. And you know we had to get cookies. The bakery is really the whole reason I go. If you haven't been, I highly suggest it. The thumbprint cookies are some of my favorites, but the cupcakes are also out of this world.

After we fueled for our afternoon of shopping, we hit up Gap in University Park Village first. I picked up some cute tropical-printed flip flops for my upcoming beach trip. Sisters found quite a few basic tees and shorts. We also headed to J. Crew and Madewell, but left empty handed. Next, we headed to Northeast Mall, where I found what is sure to be a closet staple for me this fall. It is too good not to share:

Forever 21 scarf

The best part? It's $6!! Go get one asap! I know it won't be cool enough to wear it for another few months, but once it is you'll be glad you snatched one up before they are gone. xo.

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