Happy Monday friends!  So I had my Friday fashion/favorites post all set to go on Thursday night and when I tried to post it, I couldn’t log into my blog!  I ended up spending the entire evening e-mailing my tech support back and forth until we (and by “we” I mean “they”) got things straightened out.  Which is why this post is coming to you on a Monday.  But I’m ok with that.  I need a little pick me up most Mondays so maybe it will be a good thing starting today off with some fun recent favorites.

I’m actually so excited this week is finally here!  I’m leaving Wednesday on a girls trip!  With blog/IG friends I adore but have never actually met!  My cute friend Shauna has a beach cottage in Florida and months ago she invited me and a few other friends to come and stay for a few days!  The other night I told my kids about the trip and my 9 year old said “MOM!  You always tell us DO NOT go meet people you’ve met on-line but have never met in person.. this is so dangerous!”  Ha!  I laughed.  I told her she was totally right.. but this was a little different.  Then I said a quick prayer that these friends of mine are actually the sweet, talented, home decor loving girls I think they are and not… something else. ;)  Kidding!  I know them well and seriously cannot wait to give them all the biggest hug!  And then chat the days away at the beach and pool.  I’m sure pics of our trip will be coming. :)

Of course a trip like this requires a little shopping.. am I right ladies?  I went through my summer clothes and my wardrobe was looking a bit sad so I hit the mall and found a few fun summer staples.  Like a lot of you I’m sure, I pretty much live in my swim suit all summer so clothes like this that I can toss on over my suit to wear to the beach or pool are my favorite.  These Chino roll-up shorts from BP are darling and come in so many colors!  I got coral but they are on sale so I’m tempted to pick up a couple more.  I also got this cute striped tank and this pair of denim shorts.   They all fit great and will no doubt be on repeat this summer.

It has been a while since I’ve bought a new swimming suit.  I seriously dread suit shopping and avoid it like the plague.  But when I do buy a new suit I first try on my all time favorite brand – La Blanca.  I also really like Robin Piccone.  They cost a bit more, but are such nice quality and fit really well.  You aren’t going to see me modeling the two I bought in front of my bedroom mirror.. ha!  :)  But you can see how cute the suits are here  –  I got the Mia Crochet black one piece and the other is almost identical to this Sweetheart One Piece.

I also found this little Robin Piccone suit skirt/cover-up and it fits darling!  A new summer staple and favorite for sure.  It just comes in one size because you can tie it as tight or loose as you want and also adjust it shorter or longer.

I’ve bought skirts like this before from Target and other places, but never one that fits as cute as this does.  I’ll show you it on at some point, but I’m going to have to have a few days of fake tan built up first.  ;)

(Mudroom details here and fun similar pillows in my Get Ready for Spring post.)

I also wanted a new purse and was planning on getting a fun color for summer, but then these two gray bags stole my heart!  I could NOT choose which one because I love them both so much and finally decided that they just both needed to come home with me.  

(Colorblock Pocket Tote/Drawstring Bucket Bag)

Are they not adorable?!  They remind me a lot of my favorite faux leather tote I bought in the fall because they look more expensive than they actually are.  They were each just under $50!  Seriously!  I’m so glad I saw them in the store in person because they don’t look as cute as they really are on-line.  I wear a lot of navy and gray so these are going to become favorite staples for sure.  
Here’s a close up of the Colorblock Pocket Tote.  I’m so in love with that little navy and cream pocket.  :)
And a view of the back.

The Drawstring Bucket Bag is just simple and casual.  I’ve been running around with it all week and love it.

(Colorblock Pocket Tote/Jacket was from Banana Republic last year – similar here/Toms boots/watch)

I had a dinner meeting last week and was wearing navy and gray (like I often do) so I snapped a picture with each bag quick to show you size.

(Drawstring Bucket Bag)

Apparently I’m a little bag obsessed lately because I also ordered this Fossil Crossboday bag not long ago and can’t wait to get it!  No need to explain why I fell hard for this one. :)  The gray bags are larger so this will be perfect for when I just need a few things.  I think that’s why I never want to spend more than $100 on a bag.  I like to rotate them too much!

Because of the way I organize my purse and keep everything inside of smaller bags/wallets it makes it easy to switch bags often.

Ok!  Another recent favorite and amazing deal!  My all time favorite workout gear is Zella.  When I was looking at suits I found this gem marked down on the sale rack!  It’s their motivation zip front jacket.  Perfect for exercising on cool mornings or evenings.  I don’t normally wear these jackets with jeans but took this picture quick just to show you how it fits long in the back.

I look ridiculous in this picture!  Trying to show you how it fits over you fingers.  :)  I LOVE Zella jackets like this so I was thrilled to find it for such a great price.  (It says on-line it runs small but it was true to size for me.)  I also bought the matching sports bra because it was such a good deal on sale and another pair of my favorite staple live in leggings.  Zella has been my favorite workout wear for years now.  Such a comfortable, flattering fit.  I love stocking up when things go on sale at the end of the season!

Ok!  A few more random favorites.  My hair dryer broke a few months ago and I replaced it with this XTAVA.  You guys!!  Oh my word.  Can’t express my love for this baby enough.  It has so much power!  It easily cuts 10 minutes off of my hair drying time!  With my crazy thick hair I needed something powerful so I looked for the best seller on Amazon with the most watts.  I was skeptical ordering this because it’s only $36 and I’ve always spent a lot more than that on hair dryers in the past.  I figured I’d be returning it, but I have to say that now I’m a believer.  It has great reviews and now I know why.  Excited about this!  Maybe I’ll start washing my hair more than twice a week now…

or not.  :)

This is my recent favorite snack.  The Light and Fit Greek Strawberry Cheesecake Yogurts have been a favorite of mine for a long time.  A healthy snack that tastes so good!

Recently our grocery store started carrying Greek Crunch… with some granola toppings to add to the yogurt.  Oh my word.. I can’t keep these in our fridge!  I have to hide them so I get some to eat myself.  Try them and tell me what you think.  I think you’ll love them too.  :)

Alas..  my attempt at keeping a real fiddle leaf fig plant alive has come to an end.  After killing the last three plants :( I finally gave in and bought this faux fiddle leaf from Pottery Barn.  {sigh}  I tried.  I really did.  But it just wasn’t in the cards for me.  Don’t be surprised if my next post is titled “how to kill a fiddle leaf fig in 5 easy steps.” :)  The upside is that from a distance this plant looks real (I’m going to buy a big pot for the bottom so that will help too) and no more stress and maintenance will be involved.  I really liked a plant in this corner of my family room and now I have one.  That needs no water and will never have brown drooping leaves.  I’ll take it!  I took this picture right after it was delivered so I still need to tweak the leaves a bit (Yea!  I can do that with a fake plant!).

Also ignore the empty shelves next to the plant.  I’m re-arranging a few things because I used some of my family room accessories in my formal living room.  I move things around too much which is why I never completely finish a room in this house.  It’s a problem I have.  Right up there with buying too many purses and killing all live plants.  I’m a work in progress.  :)

A recent favorite moment around here to end on!  Last week I went to pick up my kids from school and Ad came running out of her classroom towards me yelling “Mom!  Mom!  I did it!!  I got the part!  I’m the lead in our 4th grade school play!”  She was so excited and talking so fast it took me a minute to understand what she was saying!  Her sister and I screamed and dropped our bags and we all hugged and jumped up and down.  Then we screamed and hugged and jumped up and down some more.  Kids were passing and saying  “Congrats Addie!”  and “Great job Addie!”  The absolute happiness I felt in that moment is something I’ll never forget.  It is surreal to see your child work hard for something and then be that excited when they get it.  Such a high!  Hours later I was still smiling.  I smiled that whole day!  I’m smiling right now thinking about it again.  :)

Motherhood is full of ups and downs but moments like this one make it all worth it.  I’m so proud and excited for our girl.  Can’t wait to watch her shine.

Sorry if this post was long!  I get a little chatty when I start talking about my favorite things.  :)  I’ve been organizing up a storm around here btw!  So many projects going on.  I’m excited to share them all!  Enjoy your week everyone!

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