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Happy Friday! I hope you've had a great week! Last weekend, we put the finishing touches on our free flower stand. I have been growing my zinnias all summer and I love making bouquets from my garden. About a month ago, I started giving out free flowers arranged a jar to local friends. My dream of having a little flower stand has come true! I'll be sharing more about it here soon!

Today, I'm sharing my weekly roundup of what I'm Currently Loving! I might be one of the other people who isn't ready for cooler weather. I thrive in the warm weather and the sunshine! However, I am looking towards fall fashion and the pieces that I want to add into my closet.

Which of this week's picks is your favorite?!

1. D E N I M  J A C K E T | I've shared this denim jacket many times and it's because I love it so much! I bought mine almost a year and a half ago. I wish I would have tracked how many times I've worn it because it's a lot! The fabric is so soft and it just keeps getting better with time. It's definitely an investment piece but if you are a denim jacket fan like me, it's a great piece for your closet!

2. B A G | I've owned this leather bag for four years and it also has just gotten better with time. I carry it year round and it's the perfect size. When I get asked which Madewell bag I would recommend, I always suggest this one. It can be carried on your shoulder or your arm or you can wear it as a crossbody like I am in the photo below. I also love changing out the strap!

3. Q U I L T E D  J A C K E T | I loved a super similar jacket from Free People last season but I never purchased it. This $40 option is equally as cute and it has a hood! I love having a hood on my jackets for when it gets chilly or it rains.

4. T O P | Isn't this top darling?! I always love a cute peplum top and I love the print/colors on this one. It would be great paired with high waisted denim to transition into fall.

5. S K I R T | I saw some of my Instagram friends share this recently and I absolutely love the sweater skirt! There's also a matching sweater so you can wear it as a monochromatic set!

6. T A N K | Every morning when I get up, I immediately put on workout clothes and if this tank is clean, it's my go-to. The fabric is incredibly soft and it doesn't cling to your body. I have it in two colors and I think I need an extra black one as a back up. Fits true to size.

7. S N E A K E R S | These sneakers are so fun! Y'all know I absolutely love the leopard print detail on the back. If you are in the market for a fun sneaker, these are it!

8. C L I P | It's been so hot in NC and while I love the warm weather, I have to have my hair pulled back most of the time. I have been twisting my hair up and securing it with a claw clip. This gold hair clip is so pretty! I need to add it to my hair accessory collection.

Thanks so much for visiting! Have a great weekend!

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Happy Friday! I hope you've had a great week! This week my girls headed back to school as fourth and sixth graders. I can't believe that I have a sixth grader! I can vividly remember being a sixth grader myself and it's so crazy that I'm a mother to a middle schooler. Our first week has gone great and been full of newness. The girls are riding the bus for the first time ever and so far it's been a smooth process. Our drop off/pick off location is conveniently less than five minutes from our house (Julianna's school is almost 20 minutes away) so it's been great not living in my car as much!

Today, I'm sharing my weekly roundup of what I'm Currently Loving! I've been living in mostly workout clothes every morning but I have been trying to get dressed in "real clothes" by the afternoon when I go to pickup the girls. My favorite Goodwill is at our drop off/pickup spot so I get dressed up for a thrift run! I am still loving dresses; they have been my go-to for getting dressed!

Which of this week's picks is your favorite?!

1. B I K E  S H O R T S | I have tried so many bike shorts because they are favorite for working out, especially cycling and these are hands down the best pair that I have ever worn. I have them in the six inch and eight inch length but I personally prefer the eight inch. They are so comfy and so soft! I wear my true lululemon size in these which is a size up from my regular workout gear size.

2. S N E A K E R S | It's been a couple of years since I actually purchased running sneakers. Since I haven't been to the actual gym in a year and half, I haven't really been concerned about the condition of my sneakers. But, I've been getting my into my walks and garage workouts this week. I discovered that my sneakers are really in need of an upgrade because they are so worn down on the bottom. I currently have this pair in my cart. I love a classic black and white sneaker!

3. S H I R T | This shirt has been on my wish list for years (probably since I discovered Madewell) because it's such a classic piece. I finally invested in it back in the spring and it's one of my favorite tops in my closet! I love the oversized yet structured style of this piece. It runs slightly big but I stayed with my true size because it is a little fitted in the shoulders. I love it with denim!

4. N A P  D R E S S | I have been wanting a nap dress since I first saw one of my favorite bloggers styling one! It looked so comfortable yet put together... exactly my style! I finally ordered one last week and it arrived yesterday. I can't wait to wear this beauty!

5. R I N G | I love a simple statement ring for my ring hand and I've been wearing this one daily since May. It's so comfortable to wear! I'm a big fan of all of my Madewell jewelry. It holds up so well!

6. H E A D B A N D | Another roundup, another headband. I just can't get enough! But, they are so practical while being cute. I wear them for my workouts and my oldest daughter wears one of them everyday as well to keep our hair out of our faces. These polka dots are so fun!

7. B A G  S T R A P | My friend bought me this leopard bag strap a few years ago for my birthday and I still absolutely love it! It's still in great condition and adds such a fun pop of leopard to any look. I use it on my medium transport tote (my most favorite Madewell bag)!

8. S L I P  D R E S S | I rediscovered an old silk slip dress in my closet yesterday and it rekindled my love for slip dresses. I went on the hunt for a classic black one and found this $20! Slip dresses are perfect to wear now in the heat of the summer but they also transition nicely into fall by adding a denim jacket and a pair of ankle boots.

Thanks so much for visiting! I hope you have a great weekend!

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Happy Friday, y'all! Currently Loving is finally back! I have spent the past month working at summer camp so I put the blog on the back burner to focus on work (and rest). It was a fun-filled, exhausting three weeks! This was my oldest daughter's last experience being a student in the program! She has been attending as a student since the summer before she went to kindergarten (six years ago). Julianna is headed to sixth grade on Monday and Olivia will be a fourth grader. Time really needs to slow down! We are savoring this last weekend of summer!

Today, I'm back with my roundup of what I'm Currently Loving! I have literally been living in athletic wear and comfy pieces for the past month or so. Between vacation, mom life, and summer camp, I've just wanted to be as comfortable as possible! I'm sure y'all can relate to that feeling! 

Which of this week's picks is your favorite?!

1. S K O R T | I recently purchased my first skort since elementary school and it's my new favorite! It has built in bike shorts that have little grippers on the inside to make them comfortably stay in place. I wore mine to work at summer camp but it's also great for working out or running errands! I'm a big fan!

2. S A N D A L S | You'll see this fun sandals pictured below in a weekend outfit that I recently wore. The color combo is so cute! I loved my white Tevas so much that I needed a colorful pair too.

3. C A R D I G A N | I can't believe I am posting a cardigan in August but we have actually had some cooler mornings here in NC lately. Like in the 60s! I typically sit outside every morning to have breakfast, coffee, and do my daily Bible reading. I was reaching for a cardigan a couple times this week! This budget friendly one is a great transitional piece that you can wear with shorts now or jeans later. I also like to wear these kind of cardigans buttoned up and front tucked. So versatile!

4. J E A N S | If I'm talking about cardigans then that also means that jeans season is right around the corner as well. I have literally not put on a pair of jeans since early May. I just don't wear them at all in the warmer months. I have been living in shorts, dresses, and skirts! But, the perfect vintage style is my go-to when it comes time to add the jeans back into my daily wardrobe. They are such a flattering fit! Size down one size from your typical denim size for the best fit.

5. N E C K L A C E S | Layering dainty gold necklaces is my favorite! If you want a layered necklace collection and fast, I love these sets! They make getting the layered look so easy.

6. T A N K | I am wearing this tank right now for the second time since it arrived less than a week ago! It has a built in bra (which I love) and I love the ribbed fabric. It comes in tons of colors but I went with the classic black. It also pairs well with denim so you can wear it for workouts and beyond! I went with my true lululemon size.

7. H E A D B A N D | I typically say that I really don't need a new headband but I honestly kind of do this time. My favorite leopard one got broken so I need to replace it! I am loving this option!

8. B A G | This bag is definitely my most carried bag this spring and summer. It's so perfect for hands free adventuring and errand running! I own it in two colors and it holds a surprising amount. A must have for sure!

Thanks so much for visiting! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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Happy Friday! I hope y'all have had a great week! I actually woke up this morning and didn't realize that it was Friday. I guess it's because Monday wasn't a regular Monday. But, I am excited that it's Friday because every Friday we get tacos (and queso... and guacamole) from our favorite local place. I always look forward to Friday's dinner from Taco Loco!

Today, I'm sharing my weekly roundup of what I'm Currently Loving! I have been living in shorts, tanks, and sandals lately. I'm all about comfort! This week's picks include items that I am currently loving and wearing frequently right now. I'm wearing number 3 as I type this!

Which of this week's picks is your favorite?!

1. T O P | I have had my eye on this top for awhile but I couldn't decide between this dot print or the new floral print that recently came out. I put up a poll on Instagram stories and the dots won! I did end up ordering the dots because I also thought it would transition nicely into fall as well. I can't wait for it to arrive! I plan to style it with denim shorts and gold accessories right away.

2. E A R R I N G S | I am loving these little earrings! I am a big fan of all things flowers so I love the subtle flowers on them. So cute!

3. S A N D A L S | These $10 white sandals are definitely my most worn shoe this summer. I put them on every single morning to go out to my garden, I wore them on the beach in Puerto Rico (see more about our trip here), and they were also perfect for the pool this week, too. They come in whole sizes and I'm typically a size 8.5 so the 8 worked best for me. 

4. S H O R T S | This is my first pair of black denim shorts that I have ever owned and I absolutely love them! I paired them with a denim top for 4th of July and I loved that combination. This pair of shorts also has magic pockets that make them even more flattering! I usually recommend sizing up in your shorts but you don't have to do that in this pair because they have plenty of stretch but they never get stretched out. I have these shorts and this dark denim color.

5. T A N K | I have owned this tank in a light gray color for at least three years and it's still a go-to for me. I wore it in Puerto Rico and I also threw it over my swimsuit to take the girls to the pool this week. It's loose fitting and comfortable but still flattering. I love the back of it! Fit is true to size.

6. D R E S S | I have been loving all of the smocked dresses that I have been seeing this season! This denim on is on my wish list. It's gorgeous!

7. B R A C E L E T S | Y'all know I love my gold bracelets and I think I need to add this set to my cart ASAP. It's currently on sale for $12 and would be a great addition to my arm party!

8. H E A D B A N D | This leopard print headband is probably my most worn headband in my collection (and it's currently on sale). My oldest daughter also wears it frequently as well! These J. Crew headbands are the most comfortable ones that I have ever tried. I love them!

Thank you so much for visiting! I hope you have a great weekend!

Puerto Rico Travel Diary

 

Hey y'all! I hope you are having a great week so far! We had lots of fun celebrating the fourth of July over the weekend and our celebrations continued because my husband's birthday was on Monday. He got a really great birthday gift of being off work for his birthday this year! We went to his favorite restaurant, did a little local brewery tour, and went to an arcade to celebrate. It was a fun day!

Today, I'm sharing my Puerto Rico travel diary and this trip's travel diary is much different than when we went in 2019. You can go back and check those posts out here. The last time we went, we traveled all over Puerto Rico to check out a new place almost every day. It was a super fun trip and we had a great time exploring but we decided to treat this trip more like a relaxing vacation. During our 2019, we discovered Jobos Beach and absolutely fell in love with the area! It's so beautiful! So when planning this trip, I focused on finding a place to stay in that area and found the perfect airbnb on Shacks Beach (I'm sharing more about it below in the Q+A). 

We arrived in Puerto Rico on a Monday, picked up our rental car (I would highly recommend renting a car if you visit Puerto Rico), and then drove about two hours to our airbnb. We did make a Burger King (yes, there's Burger King plus lots of other fast food restaurants in PR) stop because we were so hungry! When we got to our airbnb, we were pleasantly surprised at how amazing it was! The perfect villa for our family vacation. We picked up some groceries and quickly settled into our home away from home. The next day, we headed straight to Jobos Beach and it was even better than the last time we were there. They have built a few new businesses in the area and they are great additions. It's hard to describe or capture just how amazing this beach is. The water is so clear and calm, about 2-4 feet deep, and it's just such a beautiful area. I found the prettiest shells here!

We spent quite a bit of time at Jobos Beach during our trip as well as the Shacks Beach, right outside the door of our villa. We did check out a couple of new places, including Gozalandia Falls. It was about a 45 minute drive from our villa and it was worth the drive. It was a short hike to see incredibly beautiful waterfalls as well as areas for swimming. We loved it!

We also visited the Guajataca Tunnel, which is apart of the railway system that connected the island during the early 20th century. It was really cool to see!

After walking through the tunnel, there's a walking trail that leads you to the beach but on the way we say this huge rock in the water. The rock had a chair on top! How did it get there?!

We also celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary during our trip! To celebrate, we visited Jobos Beach again and while we were there, we saw a sun halo. Have you ever seen one before?

We also celebrated by walking down the beach to The Eclipse Restaurant. It was about an eight minute walk from our villa and it's located at the Villa Montana Beach Resort. The restaurant was absolutely adorable! I loved the aesthetic and the food was delicious. Such a fun place to celebrate!

We traveled back home the following Wednesday after an incredible ten days in Puerto Rico! It was hard to leave because it was such a fun and relaxing trip. It was just what we needed!

Over on Instagram, I put up a question box on stories for y'all to submit any Puerto Rico travel questions and there were some great questions. I answered them in stories but I also wanted to include them here on the blog for easy reference. Be sure to let me know if you have any additional questions!

Q: How was your experience in the airport?

A: We had a great airport experience! We arrived about 2.5 hours early because TSA lines were really long. There were lots of travelers! We had a direct flight so that made flying (especially with kids) much smoother. Thankfully we didn't have any delays or issues with our airline.

Q: Do they require vaccine passports?

A: Vaccines weren't required for us to travel to Puerto Rico (at least during the time period that we traveled; check here for the latest travel guidelines). You had two options: verify full vaccination or you could get a PCR test with documented negative test results within 72 hours of traveling. You complete an online form prior to travel that allows you to upload pictures of your vaccine card or test results. When you're finished, it generates a QR code that you have scanned when exiting the airport in Puerto Rico. It was a smooth process!

Q: How long were you there? Do you have to test to go?

A: We were in Puerto Rico for ten days. To enter Puerto Rico, you must either get a PCR test with documented negative test results within 72 hours of traveling or be fully vaccinated. We didn't have to quarantine or do any additional testing to come back to the states.

Q: Details on the place y'all stayed? Would love to stay there!

A: We stayed at Villa Tropical at Shacks Beach. We stayed in a two bedroom oceanfront apartment and it was absolutely incredible. We booked through airbnb and this is the review I left:

"Villa Tropical was everything we dreamed of for our family of four’s summer vacation! The location is absolutely incredible. Right on the beach with the most breathtaking view! The accommodations were perfect for us: a king size bed for mom and dad plus a twin size bed for each of our daughters, ages 11 and 9. We also had a full, spacious kitchen for preparing meals, a bathroom with a tub, as well as a living room area with a TV. We spent a lot of time on the deck that faced the ocean. It was right outside of our door! We loved enjoying the beach right outside the door but the location is just minutes from Jobos Beach. Another great place to swim! Overall, we can’t say enough great things about our stay at Villa Tropical. We miss it already!"

Q: Did you stay ocean front?

A: Yes! We had an incredible view of the ocean right outside of our door.

Q: How did you decide where to go and where to stay?

A: We visited Puerto Rico in 2019 and it was my first time on the island. I had zero idea what to expect! On that trip, we stayed with Josh's grandma at her house. During that trip, we traveled all over Puerto Rico during our stay. We fell in love with the Isabela area and Jobos Beach so we knew we wanted to come back to this area. I searched airbnb for a place in that area and that's how I found Villa Tropical.

Q: Is it super expensive? It looks like paradise!

A: Every budget is different, particularly for travel, but I think it was an affordable vacation. Our rental was very reasonably priced, especially for the phenomenal location right on the beach. The full kitchen allowed us to make a majority of our meals, which saved lots of money. It definitely was paradise!

Q: How did you go about booking the beach house?

A: We booked via airbnb. This was my first airbnb experience and it was a great one!

Q: Are the rooms nice?

A: Yes, the rooms were cozy and clean. But honestly, I hardly spent any time inside besides sleeping. I couldn't get enough of the gorgeous views and beautiful weather outside!

Q: How did you get your groceries?

A: We got groceries at their local grocery store called Econo. It's very much like a Food Lion or Harris Teeter around here. It was about a ten minute five from our villa.

Q: When are you going again?

A: ASAP! We are hoping to go back within the next 2-3 years but for now Josh and I are saving for a trip to Europe for our 15th wedding anniversary.

Thank you so much for visiting! I hope you have a wonderful day!

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Happy Friday! I hope you have had a great week! We started the week by celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary while we were in Puerto Rico! We had a fun day at our favorite beach and then went out to dinner at the cutest restaurant. It was such a special day! We got back from our trip Wednesday night and I spent all day Thursday getting our house back in order. I absolutely love traveling but there's also something super special about coming home. I'm grateful for travel and my home!

Today, I'm back to sharing my weekly roundup of what I'm Currently Loving! If you are new around here, this post is truly my personally round up of what I'm currently using a lot from my own closet, items that I've recently purchased myself, or wish list picks of mine. I actually just got several of these items in the mail yesterday and I shared them on my Instagram stories. If you missed it, you can check out my summer style highlight to see more!

Which of this week's picks is your favorite?!

1. P A J A M A S | I am currently wearing these pajamas as I type this! I absolutely love them! I used to buy cheaper pajamas similar to this from Target but they never stayed in good shape. I started investing in J. Crew pajamas last year and I will never go back to the cheap ones! But, I always wait for a sale. J. Crew is constantly running a sale and the last time I checked, this pair was 60% off! I personally like my pajamas to fit loose so I always size up in my pajamas.

2. S T R I P E D  T O P | This striped top is a wish list item! Stripes always catch my eye but what I am really loving about this top is the neckline. So pretty!

3. S H O R T S | These shorts are also pictured above and just arrived in my mailbox. I have been on the hunt for a pair of denim shorts that were at had a 6-7 inch inseam, were high waisted (but not too high waisted), flattering, not too tight on the thighs, and great quality. Yes, I was probably asking for a lot but this $20 pair of shorts definitely delivered! They are so cute! I always recommend sizing up in shorts so that they give you the most comfortable fit and that's what I personally did when I purchased this pair. They gave me the flattering fit I was looking for but I can still move and breathe in them. I am a big fan plus they come in three colors! If your size is out of stock, keep checking because they seem to sporadically restock sizes.

4. S A N D A L S | I bought these Teva sandals specifically for our Puerto Rico trip and I know people probably thought I was a little crazy for purchasing white, lol. But, I have great news! They held up great during our trip, even for hiking to waterfalls. If they got any dirt on them, I just washed it off. Bonus: they also look super cute with dresses! Wear them on a hike or to dinner. A great summer shoe! As far as sizing goes, I usually wear an 8.5 in most shoes and the 8 worked perfectly. If you are between sizes, I would recommend sizing down.

5. H A T | This hat has been a favorite item of mine since early spring! I wore a beanie all winter long and knew once it warmed up, I needed a warm weather hat option. I love the neutral color of this hat because it goes with everything. It's also adjustable with cute leather strap on the back. It's definitely a wardrobe staple for me... especially when I need an easy option for my hair!

6. B A G | I carry a belt bag of some sort about 90% of the time right now. I just really love the security of my belongings being close to me! I also wear mine over my shoulder so that it's right on my chest. I used to think this looked weird when I saw others do it but it's really just super practical! This black leather belt bag from Able is on my wish list. I always love the quality of their items!

7. E A R R I N G S | I love jewelry that is gold with shells! I have a similar pair of earrings and a bracelet that I wore every single day in Puerto Rico. Such a fun style for summertime!

8. D E N I M  T O P | I also just got this denim top (you can see it on below in this really low quality picture that I screenshotted from a boomerang haha)! I can't wait to actually wear it out and about. It's such a soft cotton and hemp materials plus the side ties are so darling! I sized up because I wasn't really sure about the fit but I think it's true to your regular top size, just depending on your height and how you want it to fit. I have on a medium for reference. I love it paired with denim (these are the denim shorts that I shared early in this post)!

Thanks so much for visiting! I hope you have a great weekend!