Summer Reading List 2021



If you have some trips to the beach planned (or just your pool) here's what I've read lately that I highly recommend.  The last couple years I've come up with a good system for how I pick books to read:  every year Goodreads, a website I use to keep track of all the books I read (I read 26 books last year and 20 so far this year). They do a Best Books of the year awards voted on by readers in December. The books are separated into categories and I will read the top rated books in Fiction, Mystery and Historical Fiction. I also read all of Reese Witherspoon's bookclub picks. By doing this I'm reading books I wouldn't have picked myself, but every single one has turned out interesting and worth the read. This year she is picking only new releases. The first week of July I took a staycation and spent a lot of time in my pool reading books. 

2021 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony




The Tokyo Olympics were delayed a year because of covid but I couldn't wait to watch it! The opening ceremony aired twice on TV, live early in the morning on Friday and then during primetime, yet viewership was down 37%. There were protestors outside the stadium because they felt it shouldn't have been held considering covid cases are up in Japan. Fans were not allowed in the stands.  Jill Biden flew to Tokyo to cheer on Team USA. Olympic athletes were not allowed to bring their babies if they were breastfeeding and a death and blind swimmer was not allowed to bring her personal care assistant so she had to resign from the games.  

Summer Nail Polish


When you look down at your hands, the shade you're wearing always makes you feel happy. I've been a nail polish addict for years, I love painting my nails, I love having my nails look nice. I have seasonal rules for what colors to wear so during the summer months I like different things than what I like during the fall and winter. These are my top 5  picks for summer  that are mood-boosting colors.

One thing I notice about the woman who always looks wonderful, she always has fabulous looking nails. It's the first thing I notice about anyone. I've been embracing natural nails because during this pandemic I don't really want to go to a nail salon every few weeks. I think many people underestimate the power of nails, they make you feel better and boost your confidence. I am worthy of pretty nails.

They are the finishing touch to making me look chic and put together. I believe in investing in your appearance because when you look good, you feel good. It's improves your self-confidence.  Natural manicured nails always look chic and expensive. I follow trends to push me out of my comfort zone like this gradient color look. So I'm not always wearing the same colors and that makes me feel fresh and modern.  When I do go back to having gel nails, first thing on my list is getting lemon nail art! 

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2021



The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is here! It's their biggest sale of the year. Depending on your Nordstrom status, you can shop on different days. I personally will start shopping on July 16th but the sale is open to the public on July 28th.  But, they are allowing you to add things to your wishlist now. I'm sharing with you my favorite picks that I already own or are on my wishlist. They have amazing deals as it's mostly brand new items on sale before they go to regular price and things do sell out! This is my favorite shopping event of the year!  Last year I bought some sneakers, a cardigan, sweaters, and more. I shop this sale every year because I always find great pieces. This is also a good time to stock up on beauty items that you'll use throughout the whole year. I need to replace my towels.  The clothes this year is more trendier items than the usual fall basics of previous sales, so they have switched it up and doing something different this year. I know the pandemic may have changed some of your spending habits, so take your time and only choose things that you will wear/use repeatedly. 

Fashion Books



I recently read three books about fashion that were incredibly insightful and informative! The first book was my favorite. If you've read my recent fashion posts, you'll see a theme here in that these authors say the same things I've been saying. At the bottom of this post are links to other books I've read about fashion. 

My Summer Skincare Essentials

I want to share my current beauty routine for the summer.  In the summer we need to change our skincare routine because being outside in the hot temperatures can lead to unwelcome problems. Since I'm working from home, and am outside a lot less, I've noticed my skin feels normal and unproblematic. If you're outside sweating a lot, your body is going to crave water; and without replenishing it the skin's moisture will be dry. The solution is to drink a lot of water and using products with oils and glycerin that will lock in the moisture into your skin.

I see skincare as a major investment, as your face is the first thing people see.  I've gotten compliments on my skin lately from a few people so I thought I'd share what I have been using.  You'll see that I don't use a cream moisturizer so I think the essences and oils are what is keeping my skin soft. I drink 8 glasses of water everyday, I know because I have a half gallon water bottle.  I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. I go to the farmers market every Saturday and make a batch of salads from that. I take a B vitamin which helps your body produce new skin cells, retain moisture, have softer skin and reduce the skins of aging. B vitamins are also good for your hair and nails. 

I’m a Sephora junkie, but I only shop during their 15% off sale a couple times a year. My goal has always been to create empty bottles, so everything you see listed on my previous beauty posts were used  until the bottle was empty. I don't need to purchase skin care products that often. I think quality skincare products are an investment in your skin's health. Good skin means you don't need as much makeup for your daily life.