10 Things I Loved This July

July is one of those months where I feel like it has some meaning but it also kind of just is a meh month. August is looking very intense with a lot of travel and lots of life plans so I am pretty excited for it. That also means one more month closer to October which I am SO excited about! I already have two personal trips planned for October so I am very excited. While most people take a summer vacation, I take a fall vacation.

Oh and also, I am sorry for what I said when it was July. I was crabby most of the month due to heat and humidity and I’m sorry. I was not who I normally am and I promise I’ll be better soon. I was so not my normal self that I barely loved 10 things this month.

Also I want to star with what is most important to me…

I’m WAS GOING Going to See Drake!

Editor’s note: WELP DRAKE FAILED ME! I am now going to see him in August as he decided to postpone his tour. SO. RUDE.

Never meet your heroes has been a constant mantra of mine. Not that I’m going to meet him. But he’s coming to Kansas City TOMORROW. AND SO AM I. I truly am excited about this for a couple of reasons. The first one, I’m going solo! Yes, I’m excited about it! There is no one that I know that would enjoy it as much and I honestly do not want to have to worry about my reaction to seeing him. Will I cry? Will I pass out? NO ONE KNOWS!

Second, the tickets were crazy expensive. We do not get Drake around here very often so tickets were extremely expensive even in the cheap seats. I debated going because they are so expensive but this could be a once in 20 years experience. HAVE I MENTIONED HOW EXCITED I AM?!

Third, I HAVE NO IDEA HOW I AM GOING TO REACT AND I JUST NEED TO PROCESS IT ALONE! Please follow along on Instagram on the 31st because oh man, oh man.

Beauty & Style

Rebecca Taylor – I’ve worn the dress in this post several times on the blog (here and here), but I really can’t say how great Rebecca Taylor dresses are. I have about five and I wish I was getting one a month. The only bad thing? They are extremely expensive and even at a consignment shop, they retail for about $200+. I’ve recently discovered though that TJ Maxx tends to get a few ones a month and I am SO excited! The only bad thing is that you can’t search by brand, but I’ve discovered a sort of “hack” that helps. Filter> Dresses> $100-$200 and bam! Shortcut.

Right now I really want these that are in stock. This red one has been there all summer taunting me. This silk one is like the one I’m wearing and they are SO LIGHT!

I did buy stuff from the Nordstrom sale! However, I was PISSED when it took over a week to ship items, no customer service help and I couldn’t wear items that I bought for events. Anyway, so far I have only gotten ONE item in person and I am obsessed. These booties are SO comfortable AND hot.

But for real, I called them TWICE and their response was that they were busy. IT IS YOUR SALE! Why are you blaming me?

This month’s beauty purchases can be summed up in one word: SNAIL. I decide to give Mizon a try and then I went all-in. Like you do on snail stuff. Anyway, it’s extremely affordable, on Amazon and I love the results! This month I got eye cream ($10!), placenta (more on that one later) and collagen. I am suddenly very interested in making sure we save all the snails because if this is my secret to youthful skin, I will start a snail farm myself if that is what it takes.

HAVE I MENTIONED I’M GOING TO SEE DRAKE?!

Cooking & Food

I’ve always loved cast iron, even when I was a kid. This month I discovered an entire magazine devoted to cast iron cooking and it has been life-changing. Especially since it’s so hot and I don’t want to turn on the oven, I have learned how versatile cast iron is to build flavor in the summer with seasonal veggies and even fruits!

Also credited for my love of cast iron is visiting my sister and how she makes SO much wonderful food in her skillet that is about twice the size of a human head. This is my current cast iron ($15 and already seasoned) and it’s extremely affordable.

P.S. If anyone wants to get ahead on their Christmas shopping game, I want a subscription for Cook’s Country, Cooks Illustrated and Sift. Thank you very much.

Finally, let’s discuss Noosa. I have always loved it but I am now on a HUGE Noosa kick. Salted caramel, passion fruit, blood orange, blackberry serrano. ALL OF IT IS SO GOOD. How do I become an influencer for them? Because I will sell my soul for a very minor price.

Exercise… Or the Lack of It

Perhaps it’s because I feel like a tub of hot lard, but I’ve been feeling very guilty about my lack of movement. I tried a couple of hot yoga classes this month and I really enjoyed it. My goal is to try to on Saturday/Sundays on the weekends I am in town before I decide to join a studio. I don’t understand why yoga classes are so expensive!

I live with the last three minutes where I am perfectly content with myself and that feeling is amazing and I wish I had it more often. I have no flexibility at this point and I sweat just walking in, but I love the empowerment and focus in the classes. However, I don’t quite understand how yoga factors into weightloss? If you are a yogi I’d love to hear from you.

P.S. Thanks to you I finally found a way to stop sliding all over my yoga mat. Amazon to the rescue!

The Best Thing I’ve Purchased All Year

This robot vacuum. O.M.G. you guys. I couldn’t spring for the real Roomba so I got this Amazon version. This this is the BEST cleaning item ever invented. I’ve posted about it on Instagram and a couple of you have purchased it and also say it’s the best. So it’s got to be awesome if THEY say it too. Say goodbye to dog hair, human hair, kitchen clean-up.

HAVE I MENTIONED I’M GOING TO SEE DRAKE?!

Blogger Spotlight

Pink Sole aka Rachelle just makes me happy. I get a lot of work wear inspiration from her and I frequently look at her blog for inspiration when I’m traveling to Florida. I also totally am a little jealous of the amazing bags and shoes she’s been upgrading to throughout the years I’ve followed her. Plus she’s always got new posts, sharing her health journey and inspiring me to get abs except doing nothing to get them. I swear that when I have a trip that isn’t packed we are going to get together!

And that’s a wrap on July! I can’t wait to share with you how the concert goes!