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. 

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. 

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.